Mrs Scott was forced to undergo unplanned surgery during a routine eye check and returned to their car late.

Mr Scott said: “My wife not only had a routine eye check with the consultant but he suggested he carry out a minor operation on the eye later that afternoon. This he did, which led us to exceed the two hours.”

Civil Enforcement Ltd, which manages the car park off Acre Street, agreed to waive the £30 charge after the couple explained their situation.

But the Shepley couple also sent a £30 cheque in case the parking company refused to waive the charge and before the charge increased to £60.

Mr Scott added: “Since I had not received a reply to my letter by October 1 I completed the payment slip and enclosed a cheque for £30 which I posted on October 1 to avoid the payment of £60, in case the reasons for the ‘overstay’ were not accepted.

“On October 6 I received a confirmation of cancellation from Civil Enforcement Ltd which confirmed the Parking Contravention Enforcement Notice had been cancelled.”

Yet on November 5 the £30 was debited from the couple’s bank account.

Work starts on car park at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Lindley.

Mr and Ms Scott have been repeatedly contacted the company, registered in Liverpool, but are yet to receive a refund.

While the land is owned by the hospital trust it is managed by Civil Enforcement Ltd who can levy charges if motorists exceed their prepaid time – or park without paying.